Acquire and Improve Lot at 564 Benson St., Block 1403, Lot 8

As a six-year resident of Camden, New Jersey, residing at 566 Benson Street, I have a vested interest in the growth, expansion and continuous improvement of a city that I have come to fondly call home. The lot directly adjacent to my property, 564 Benson Street, is a property in which I have taken a particular and personal interest. In spite of the fact that it has been owned by the Camden Redevelopment Agency for some time, I have taken it upon myself to personally take care of this property, as it is next door to where I reside. I have seen to it that the grass is cut, trash and debris removed (including dirty drug needles) and have served as an unofficial caretaker of the lot since I moved here in 2010.

At this juncture, I am very interested in continuing to care for and maintain this lot, however, in a more formal capacity as the new lot owner. I am very interested in acquiring this lot as a green space, in keeping with the Camden Redevelopment Agency’s interest in land conservation to augment the beautification of the Cooper Plaza neighborhood and Camden in general. I am a resident of Camden as well as the abutting homeowner and informal caretaker of this lot, which I have, in fact, been caretaking for years of my own accord, without the thought of compensation or recognition. My interest stems simply from a commitment to preserving the integrity, growth and expanding beauty of my neighborhood and community, which includes 564 Benson St.

Consequently, I would like to acquire this property as a green space for 564 Benson St. and I envision this space being a space of natural beauty in between two existing houses. I see this space as a setting with grass, vegetation, a couple of trees and a garden. This space would all be enclosed with a wrought iron fence on the Benson Street side and perhaps a privacy fence on the Auburn St. side. There would also be a parking space on the Auburn St. side so as to accommodate a vehicle in keeping with the other abutting lots on Auburn St.

However, it has also just recently come to my attention that there are sink holes on this lot, perhaps as a result of old water lines, which will be quite an expense to fill and resolve (at least for the time being). These sink holes are apparently an ongoing concern because they have been addressed and filled before, by myself, the city of Camden and a private contractor. The latest estimate in which I am of receipt is over $10,000.
I am more than happy to comply with whatever is required in my efforts to acquire 564 Benson St., but again, I cannot emphasize enough that my interest in this property goes far beyond that of a business plan but speaks from my heart and my real vested concern and interest in enhancing our community and the living environment for all of the residents of Camden, my HOME and Cooper Plaza in particular. In this capacity, I would welcome your support in my sincere effort to acquire the lot at 564 Benson St.

Thank you for your attention and consideration.

Sincerely,
George Anthony Feeney, III